Relationships
Relationships are central to psychological health. Satisfying and supportive relationships with friends, family, or partners are associated with increased psychological wellbeing, and reduced levels of depression and stress. Good relationships are also good for your physical health. Social support has been found to have immune-boosting effects, and to protect against a range of health problems and disease. However, relationships can be complex, and building satisfying and harmonious relationships can be difficult. It is not surprising, then, that relationship issues are among the most common reasons for visiting a psychologist.Some relationship difficulties that people seek help with include:
- Couple distress and conflict
- Recurrent patterns in relationships
- Relationship breakdown
- Poor communication
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
- Difficulties with commitment
- Dating anxiety
- Difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships
- Sexual difficulties
- Beginning relationships
- Pre-marital counseling
- Difficulties in relationships with colleagues and/or bosses
- Difficulties in relationships with friends
- Difficulties in relationships with family members
A psychologist can help you, either individually or as a couple or family, to work out what is driving the problems in your relationships. It is often difficult on your own to see clearly what is happening in your relationships, and to disentangle the different threads that run through your relationship difficulties. Consultations with a psychologist provide a supportive and neutral environment in which to constructively explore the causes of relationship problems. Together with the psychologist you develop insight, knowledge, skills, and approaches that allow you to change unhelpful relationship patterns, respond productively to relationship difficulties, and ultimately build healthier and more satisfying bonds
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